lawbreaking 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lawbreakingnext
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority some sociologists specialize in studying the lawbreaking elements of society

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lawbreaking

2 of 2

noun

1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code even something as simple as littering is considered an example of lawbreaking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in criminality
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state an outbreak of lawbreaking plagued the city in the months following the end of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lawbreaking
Noun
Similarly, Newport Beach had warned partygoers to avoid lawbreaking before the takeover. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 These are discrete allegations of lawbreaking, and any remedy must match their magnitude. — David B McGarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026 Leifman has been leading the charge for a facility that judges could use as an alternative to Miami-Dade’s jails for people whose mental illnesses seem to be the main driver behind their lawbreaking. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026 Both Goss and DeVries agreed senior citizens should notify police if residents have been victims of scams or have concerns before moving ahead with possible lawbreaking schemes. — Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026 In an effort to send a message to any minors planning to descend on the Jersey Shore for a weekend of lawbreaking and recklessness, Vaz is vowing to prosecute both the offending child and their parents. — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026 These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking. — CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 The sponsor of the employer crime bill said that lawbreaking was wrong and the bill is constitutional. — Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 Barack Obama pledged to look forward and not backwards, not only closing the door on prosecutions for executive lawbreaking but also failing to hold accountable those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawbreaking
  1. criminal
  2. crime
  3. criminality
  4. rebellious
  5. violation
  6. illicit
  7. sin
  8. felony
Adjective
  • The charges include organized theft and criminal association, said Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Russell Brand has arrived to London’s Southwark Crown Court for the start of his criminal trial.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of criminal
Noun
  • Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • Van Houten ultimately determined the allegations did not warrant charges because of a lack of criminality.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Law enforcement officials are investigating, but the NYPD said there is no criminality at this time.
    — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of criminality
Adjective
  • The shoes appeared similar to the popular DSquared 2 Riri heeled sandals, which are also a sleek, seductive and rebellious style with towering heels and straps that wrap around the foot and ankle with super-thin leather ties.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Suzanne’s kind of rebellious temperament brought a lucidity to that character.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Noun
  • Denny Hamlin served a safety violation after a tire bounced out of his team’s pit box, sending him to the back of the field temporarily.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Myriad violations, from food that should’ve been trashed weeks earlier to filthy equipment, befouled the state inspection of a West Miami-Dade supermarket this week.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of violation
Adjective
  • The group’s president and CEO, Steve Lamar, said the AAFA is urging stronger action against platforms that enable the trade of dupes and fakes, which can be dangerous to consumers as the illicit goods are produced through unregulated operations.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Both local and federal investigators are investigating the source and supplier of the illicit drugs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of illicit
Noun
  • Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide.
    — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If the sin of Mars’ album was being too predictable, Styles’ bold and unexpected Kiss All the Time.
    — Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • But then in January 2024 a grand jury indicted Baldwin on felony involuntary manslaughter charges and special prosecutors re-filed their case.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Hartbower had an outstanding felony arrest warrant on an assault charge out of Yuba City, in neighboring Sutter County, and was on post-release community supervision in Yuba County, police said.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of felony

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lawbreaking
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Cite this Entry

“Lawbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawbreaking. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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